Another day, another live action version of a beloved fairy tale... It certainly seems to be the new trend but that does not mean that the movies aren’t any good!

Like Cinderella from earlier this year and last year’s Maleficent, Pan delves a little deeper into the origins of its characters, introducing a bit more back story and a few different perspectives that enhance the original timeless tale.

Pan is the story of Peter, an orphan who is spirited away from his bed and taken to the magical world of Neverland. There he befriends a young man by the name of James Hook (Hedlund), encounters the dastardly pirate Blackbeard (Jackman), and discovers his destiny.

As even Steven Spielberg’s Hook proved back in the 1990s, you can’t go wrong with Peter Pan. This is an entertaining tale of adventure and magic with the fairies, mermaids, lost boys, and pirates that J.M. Barrie’s classic story is known for.

The cast is great, with Jackman hamming it up in his truly magnificent beard and Levi Miller proving himself as an engaging young actor who does a solid job as Peter Pan. Director Joe Wright clearly had a lot of fun bringing the wondrous Neverland to life, although you may need a Berocca and a lie down after seeing this to cope with some of the more lurid CGI/sweeping crane shot combos.

This film is a lot of fun for the whole family, and should prove to be a thrilling Halloween night treat for the young and young at heart alike (but beware of the crocodile)!

Just in time for a late night Halloween Film Group offering, The Gift is a psychological thriller about a couple whose lives are turned upside down by a chance encounter with an old acquaintance.

Simon and Robyn seem to have everything going for them – good jobs, a happy marriage, a luxurious new house and plans for their first child – when they come across a man named Gordo, who claims to be an old friend of Simon’s.

Simon doesn’t recognise the man, but they exchange pleasantries and reconnect anyway. Later, Gordo leaves a bottle of wine at their house. Not sure how he got their address, the couple nevertheless invite him for dinner. Gordo leaves several more gifts, and begins frequenting the house more often – particularly while Robyn is home alone.

As Gordo’s behaviour begins to encroach upon their lives, Simon attempts to break off the friendship. But the visits continue – and very soon become downright threatening. Robyn looks deeper into the connection between Gordo and her husband, and discovers a secret of his past that upends her trust in him…

The film stars Rebecca Hall and Jason Bateman as Simon and Robyn, and Joel Edgerton as the unwelcome blast from the past. By and large, this is Edgerton’s film, as he also wrote, produced and directed the piece. Assistance comes from Blumhouse Productions, a studio with a strong horror pedigree including such films as Paranormal Activity and Insidious.

Following in such formidable footsteps, The Gift is an intense ride, with its fair share of jumps and twisted revelations to keep you on the edge of your seat as the dark secrets unfurl before your eyes on the big screen.